For us, wine is much more than a beverage to drink with dinner.  Anyone of legal age can drink wine but sadly, many people stop there. To truly enjoy wine requires all the senses the human body possesses to capture the subtle nuances that can be found in a glass of quality wine.
   Unless your ego makes it difficult to fit though a standard door jam, you do not have to drink expensive wine to enjoy quality wine. There are hundreds of wines priced under $20 a bottle that often put wines priced three and four times as much to shame in competitions
   True wine “enjoyment” is a process of evaluation. Regardless of whether the wine is red or white, color is the first characteristic to examine. The wine should be clear and proper for the varietal. Oaked chardonnay will be a bit darker than sauvignon blanc and pinot noir should be lighter than cabernet.
   Fill the glass about a quarter of the way to allow ample room for aromas to volatilize. Swirl the wine around in the glass for a few seconds and bring it slowly to your nose, beginning to smell when the glass is about an inch or so away. As you move into the wine, notice which aromas are predominant.
   Take a small sip of the wine and swish it around in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. Is the wine sweet? Tannic? Acidic? How long do the flavors linger on the palate?
   The only way to properly learn how to enjoy wine is to properly taste as many as possible. Wine tastings are a great learning tool on your path to oenological enlightenment. If anyone asks, remember, you are doing important sensory research.